Sourcing road tanker trucks from China
Diesel road tanker trucks from China carry 10% UK duty across the new and used lines shown, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded. Unless exempt, road vehicles need approval before first registration in Great Britain; dangerous-goods vehicles also need annual MOT and ADR tests. Cambridge China Bridge sources road tanker trucks.
UK duty on road tanker trucks
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 8704 covers motor vehicles for transporting goods. The diesel tanker lines shown carry 10% duty on goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension recorded. Import VAT is normally 20%. These rows concern complete tanker trucks.
The tariff attaches fluorinated greenhouse gas import control to these lines and waste import control to the used lines. Imported fluorinated-gas equipment must be correctly labelled, including empty equipment. Obtain the cab air-conditioning refrigerant details and ask your customs broker to confirm the remaining control requirements. The data also records DCMS Export Licence measures and, for used vehicles, waste export controls; ask the broker to confirm their relevance to the transaction.
Confirm propulsion, gross vehicle weight and whether the truck is new or used before choosing the code. Use finding your commodity code, and see diesel flatbed trucks for the wider heading. Budget approval and inspection separately from the taxes explained in UK import duty and VAT. For livestock transport, see our guide to sourcing livestock transport trucks.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| New diesel tanker trucks, gross vehicle weight over 5 tonnes but not over 20 tonnes | 8704 22 91 00 | 10% | None |
| Used diesel tanker trucks, gross vehicle weight over 5 tonnes but not over 20 tonnes | 8704 22 99 00 | 10% | None |
| New diesel tanker trucks, gross vehicle weight over 20 tonnes | 8704 23 91 00 | 10% | None |
| Used diesel tanker trucks, gross vehicle weight over 20 tonnes | 8704 23 99 00 | 10% | None |
Specify the liquid, tank and completed chassis
Name the liquid to be carried and give its density, operating temperature and compatibility needs. Fix tank material, usable capacity, compartment layout, baffles, lining, vents, access openings and drain points. Specify pump duty, hose connections, metering and cleaning access. Compare the completed truck's measured empty weight and proposed liquid load with the agreed gross and axle weights.
Agree drive side, chassis model, brakes, lighting, corrosion protection and spare parts. Unless exempt, the vehicle needs approval before first registration in Great Britain. Check the approval route for the completed tanker with the builder before ordering. Dangerous-goods vehicles need annual MOT and ADR tests; agree the intended cargo and obtain the corresponding tank documentation for review.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: One new diesel road tanker truck (illustrative order; values are illustrative) under 8704 22 91 00, invoiced at £43,000 free on board, with £9,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £52,500. Duty at 10% is £5,250. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £57,750, so it is £11,550. Import taxes total £16,800; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £5,250 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: match chassis and tank identification plates to the invoice, drawings and approval documents; repeat the check on arrival.
Tank: inspect welds, internal cleanliness, compartments, lining and seals; witness the agreed leak test and check drainability.
Transfer equipment: run the pump, valves, meter and hose connections with a suitable test medium; record leaks, flow and shut-off performance.
Completed vehicle: check tank mountings, measured empty weight, axle loading calculations, brakes, lighting and underbody protection against the agreed specification.
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What goes wrong
A catalogue tank capacity can leave too little payload for the intended liquid. Other failure points include incompatible seals, trapped cleaning fluid, leaking welds, poor tank mountings and pump connections that do not fit the buyer's equipment. Treat the chassis and tank as a completed vehicle when reviewing approval evidence. Arrange testing and certification before shipment.
For a used tanker, ask for its previous cargo, cleaning records, repair history and condition report. Ask the customs broker to resolve the tariff's waste control before purchase. If a shipment from China into England is waste subject to notification controls, the exporter must apply to the competent authority in China for consent.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For machinery and equipment, see machinery imports.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on road tanker trucks from China?
The diesel tanker lines shown carry 10% duty for both new and used trucks. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension is recorded. Import VAT is normally 20%.
Can a Chinese tanker truck be registered in Great Britain?
Unless exempt, it needs vehicle approval before first registration. Confirm the approval route for the completed chassis and tank before ordering.
What tests does a dangerous-goods tanker need?
Dangerous-goods vehicles need annual MOT and ADR tests. Agree the intended cargo and have the tank documentation reviewed before buying.
What should I check before buying a used tanker?
Check previous cargo, cleaning records, corrosion, repairs, tank identification and vehicle documents. Ask your customs broker to confirm the tariff's waste-control requirements before purchase.